Triple Triad

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The Triple Triad game board.

Triple Triad is a card game created in the Squaresoft game Final Fantasy VIII. It was not an essential part of the game but provided light relief to the storyline, and allowed the player to interact with minor characters in a different way. Final Fantasy VIII is the first of the series to introduce a side-game with such interaction. Triple Triad is completely separate from the main storyline, and progression in the game does not affect achievement in the storyline, and vice versa. Triple Triad became so popular it has spawned several unofficial websites and programs that permit multiplayer gaming via the internet, allowing players to challenge each other to the game.

The game is quite difficult to attempt without the aid of computer-enforced rules, but this is not to say it hasn't been attempted. In 1999, following the release of the game, Japanese games company Bandai produced a full set of collectible Triple Triad cards. The set was made up of the 110 cards as seen in the game along with 72 artwork cards and a collectors edition playing mat. Because the set was only released commercially in Japan and was not generally available in America or Europe, the cards have become a rare collectors item with full sets selling for well over $350 (approx. £200) on the collector's market.

1 Game structure
2 Basic gameplay
3 Popularity
4 External links

[edit] Game structure

Triple Triad is played on a 3-by-3 square grid of blank spaces, where cards will be placed as the game progresses. Cards are traditionally pictured with various characters, monsters or other items from the Final Fantasy VIII game which are familiar to the player. More importantly, each card features four numbers placed in arrangement so each correspond to different sides to the card. The following image is an example of a traditional Triple Triad card:

fig. 1

The positions of numbers are often (but not always) referred to as compass points (north, east, south, west) to distinguish each. In the case of the card above, 9 is north, 6 is east, 7 is south and 3 is west.

In the game, the numbers on these cards relate to numbers on other cards. This is explained below. Numbers on the cards increase from 1 to 9, as well as use of the letter A to indicate the highest value possible (equivalent value of 10).

All cards differ in their numerical values. All cards have a blue and red variant, relating to which player possesses the card.

[edit] Basic gameplay

In a basic game of Triple Triad, each player has 5 cards each. Depending on what rules the players are using, these cards may be "open" for everyone to see, or "closed" so that the players hands are hidden from each other. A coin-flip decision is made to which of the two players begin, whom may then choose a card to play anywhere on the grid. A coin-flip decision may also be made on which player plays as red or blue. After the first card play, the opposition may play a card anywhere unoccupied on the grid board, and game continues with player's turns alternating in this fashion.

[edit] A card is played

When a card is played, its values are assessed and compared to any cards which are adjacent on the grid. If no cards are adjacent, no assessment is made and game continues.

If a card is placed next to card already on the grid, the values on corresponding sides of the cards are assessed. For example, in the card play below (fig 2), the blue card is placed on the east side of the red card.

fig. 2

The two cards are assessed. The corresponding value on the resting card (east, 6) is compared to the corresponding value on the challenging card (west, 1). Because the challenging value is less than the resting value - (1 < 6) - there is no action made.

fig. 3

Should the situation be like in the one depicted above (fig. 3), the challenging value (A) is higher than the resting value (6). When this occurs, the losing card is changed in colour. In this situation, the challenging card will turn the resting card blue.

It is only when a challenging card is of higher value that a colour change is made.

[edit] Two or more challenges

If a card is placed in a position where it challenges two or more cards, the same rules apply, and each card challenge is assessed independently. In extreme cases, a card may be placed in a situation where it is challenging on all four sides, or none at all.

[edit] Scoring

Gameplay continues until the entire grid is filled. Once the game is complete, the player wins whose colour dominates the game. Even the card not placed on the grid is included in the scoring. As all ten cards are involved, this allows the possibility of the game ending in a draw, which may be resolved by a sudden death scenario, or by playing until a winner is defined. The value of the cards does not play a part in the calculation of score at the end of the game.

[edit] Prize

In Final Fantasy VIII, the overall winner may claim a prize by taking one or more of the loser's cards from his collection. How many cards that are taken upon a successful game are decided upon before the game begins, and cannot be changed once gameplay has begun. In real-life game tournaments and online based variants of the game, these rules apply also. This could be a good way for a player to expand his card collection, or a quick way of losing his best and highest playing cards.

[edit] Popularity

The Triple Triad game was so popular, other similar games have been a feature of some later games in the Final Fantasy series.

Tetra Master was a card game created for Final Fantasy IX and was popular enough to get its own standalone online game from PlayOnline. Sphere Break is another example of a game to feature in the series, in Final Fantasy X-2.